In another friendly game at the training camp in USA, the Pitmen faced the team from the North American Soccer League – Fort Lauderdale Strikers. In this game the Pitmen’s head coach Mircea Lucescu deployed mainly the first-team squad. It should be noted that Zubkov and Korobenko started the game.

First half

The teams started the game from the off, trying to play faultlessly in the middle of the match. Shakhtar were the first to carve the opposition defence open. On 10 minutes, Kucher attacked at near post following a set play but his shot was stopped by Restrepo, and Taison failed to capitalize on the rebound and sent the ball wide. The hosts managed to organize a counterattack on 18 minutes, but the ball following an Angulo shot from the edge of the penalty area flew over the crossbar. The Pitmen dominated proceedings and played dangerously upfront. After a cross from a corner Gladkyy fired a low shot from a good position but Restrepo made a save. In the next episode Taison made a run into the opposition half of the pitch – the ball flew wide of the post. Very soon a shot from Gladkyy towards the far corner troubled the opposition but it flew wide. The closing stages of the game saw dangerous long range shots from distance by Marlos and Taison, but they lacked accuracy.

Second half

After the break the flow of the game remained the same. Shakhtar continued going forward, and Fort Lauderdale Strikers looked for rare opportunities for counterattacks. The Pitmen got a chance to open the scoring on 64 minutes. Darijo Srna fired a powerful effort – Restrepo parried the ball away. The hosts’ errors allowed the Mircea Lucescu to take the lead. The opposition goalkeeper tried to dribble past Marlos but the latter confidently intercepted the ball before sending it into the empty net. Maicon, who came on as a sub, made the home side’s performance in the final third more energetic. The forward took a number of shots from distance. In the closing stages of the game, Shakhtar went forward even more energetically. Marlos and Taison posed threat on a number of occasions, but failed to extend the lead. 1-0 – the Pitmen claimed a win.

We would like to remind you that the next friendly game on 27 January, the Pitmen will face Miami City. The game will kick off at 15:00 (22:00, Ukrainian time).